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Small Packages
The former sight of the Ningxia Institute of Science and Technology 30 Sept 2006-
Small Packages
Think about a diamond ring for a moment. They are expensive, yet they come in small packages. Other things, such as Rolex watches or earrings, also come in small packages. These are about the best and most expensive of gifts. Probably in the United States the stores are telling you, “X amount of days until Christmas”. If you are buying stuff for little children those things come in rather large packages and are cheaper than diamond rings. The Ningxia Institute of Science and Technology is very much like the diamond ring; it may come in a small campus but it is very valuable.
The last time we were simply walking through a part of the tapestry known as Dawukou and parted company at the gates of my school. Yes, I know what you are thinking, “He has been in Dawukou nearly six weeks and has not told us about his school.” Well, come along and this writer will show this my school, my pride and joy. The buildings that are on this campus are but the packaging. The main gate is the ribbon which keeps the package together. This newsletter will take you around my school. A latter journal will tell you about the people which make this small package very valuable.
Staring at the south of the campus is the gate and guard post. Now this gate has two openings: a larger one for cars and a smaller one for people to pass through. To the east of the gate is where bikes are kept when class is in session. Follow me please! As we walk north on the main of my school one will notice the beautiful green trees, grass, colorful signs and the sidewalk. However, as one continues north, the building on the left is where my office is. On the right is where a building which contains classrooms and offices.
While the white building contains my office, which I share with my fellow foreign teachers, it is also the building where the school administration is, I think. Okay, on we go then! Continuing north one will see the library on the left, which I will visit some day, and a dormitory of some type. Walking along the same road one will walk under a small arch of some kind. Watch your head!
On the other side of this arch are the basketball courts. Starting in October, yours truly has been invited to participate in a tournament of some kind. At this point this writer will admit that basketball is not one of my talents. Perhaps my height will make up for my lack of skill, I hope.
Sorry about the detour, but if we continue north we will come to a courtyard of some type. It is part garden, stage and monument. In the time this writer has been here on the campus the stage has been used for concerts and demonstrations of one type or another. To the left of this courtyard is a dormitory for students.
Have a good view of the dormitory? Good, then we can continue. 1 Now as we head towards the dormitory we will also begin to turn south. Once again we will pass the basketball court. Past this court is a small shop of some kind. Seeing as I’ve been doing allot of writing I am going to get something to drink. Okay, on we go then. If you wanted something you should have asked!
As we walk along this smaller road the buildings are considerably denser. On the left are more dormitories, some are big others are small. On the right, about a stones throw from the small shop, is the Muslim Canteen (no pork served here).
At this point we are at an intersection. To the south of our position is building number 4, where more classes are held. If one has the time there is a splendid view of Dawukou from the top of this building. Which can be viewed from the balcony, and the view can be as different as night and day, depending on when one goes up. Okay, come back now, we are still standing at the intersection. This time we will head east. On our right is a larger canteen, not Muslim, I believe. On the left is yet another building full of classrooms and offices.
As we continue east we come to another intersection. Yes, it connects to the main road of the campus where we were before. This way please! Our tour is nearly at an end. We will head south on the main road of the campus. Now on our left are buildings 1 through 3 which contain more classrooms and offices.
You look thirsty. Here is some quai (RNB or Yuan), feel free to go get a drink from the canteen. I’m off to meet some of the people that make this package valuable, my students.
Zaijian!
1. John Cleese is perhaps my favorite actor
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